How to Check for Bed Bugs in Your Home

Bed bugs. Speaking these words aloud is reason enough to make homeowners launch into a cleaning frenzy, and with good reason. These insects are cunning, hard to spot, and use humans as their primary food source. Before hiring a local bed bug exterminator to get rid of these pests, you need to determine whether that’s the true cause of your suspicious bug bites. After all, bed bugs are easily confused with many types of beetles and other insects.

Here’s how to check for bed bugs in your home so you can breathe a sigh of relief or a longer sigh of resignation. 

What to Look For When Checking for Bed Bugs

Before going over the various places to check and inspection methods, let’s talk about identification. It is rare to see a bed bug “in the flesh,” as they only come out at night, are surprisingly quick-footed, and are extremely small. Additionally, adults are visible to the human eye but the young, called nymphs, are pale and nearly impossible to spot.

Here are some of the physical signs of bed bugs:

• Rusty or reddish stains on bed sheets or mattresses

• Dark spots on fabric

• Tiny eggs and eggshells

• Shell casings

• Fecal marks

How to Check for Bed Bugs

Here’s your all-inclusive guide to thoroughly and efficiently check for bed bugs throughout the home. 

1. Check for Bites 

Start by checking household members for bites, starting with the ankles and other areas of exposed skin. Bed bug bites are similar in appearance to other bug bites, though they lack the red spot in the center associated with flea bites. Bed bugs also tend to feed sporadically in a row, so look for bites in a series of threes or fours in a line. 

Bites redden, swell, or itch according to the allergic response of the victim. Everyone is different and many people are asymptomatic, which is when bed bugs leave no visible indication of a bite. A couple of random bug bites do not indicate bed bugs. You are looking for repetition and multiple bites, night after night. 

2. Check Beds, Sofas, and Chairs

Inspect your bedding, such as mattress covers, for small blood stains, thus indicating feeding. Bring a flashlight, as these stains are small— usually two to four times the size of a standard period on a keyboard. You are looking for signs of feeding, growth, or excrement, though if you happen upon a living bug, that’s your answer. 

You are also looking for excrement, presenting as small rust-colored smears or groups of dark spots. Also, keep an eye out for shed skin and egg shells. Shells look like little white dots and shed skin pieces resemble the bed bug itself, with the same shape, though they are translucent in color. 

Pay special attention to bed frames or furniture frames, shining the flashlight in any nooks and crannies to look for bugs, blood, skin, or excrement. Peel back any stapled fabric to get an even closer look. Go under the bed and item of furniture, flipping it over if necessary. 

3. Check Near the Bed and Furniture

Bed bugs may start in the bed, but colonies travel around the room in due time, though most stay near to the primary food source.

Widen your search to items around and near the bed, including inside of books, the edge of rugs or carpet, and even in electrical outlets. Shine your flashlight and look for any of the aforementioned signs. This task also includes the closet and the bedroom dresser, if either is within crawling distance of the bed, chair, or couch. Work slowly and check clothing items as you did with the bedding. 

4. Use Your Nose

Think vampiric bed bugs couldn’t get any worse? There are also some associated odors with bed bug infestations. Bed bugs release potent pheromones when threatened. This sweet and musty odor resembles raspberries, coriander, cilantro, or almonds.

Severe infestations amp up that musty odor, as pheromones mix with dead bed bugs to create something comparable to moldy laundry. 

5. Find a Living Specimen 

Finding a live bed bug is rather difficult, though not impossible. Stay on high alert during nighttime hours, with your flashlight at the ready, as the most likely area to spot one is crawling toward you in bed. 

They are fast, so trap one with a cup and then transfer it to a plastic bag to show the exterminator later. Keep in mind that any bug found in a bed is not necessarily a bed bug. 

What to Do if You Have Bed Bugs

If bed bugs have reared their antennae in your home, you have several options for getting rid of them. If you decide to use a toxic method that will kill bed bugs instantly, be sure to take proper precautions regarding children and pets.

Vacuum (Nontoxic)

While vacuuming the infected room may not be enough to totally eliminate bed bugs, it's a good starting point for controlling the infestation. Make sure to vacuum every inch. This includes the mattress, bed frame, bed box spring, floors, baseboards, window ledges, and more. Use the vacuum's wand attachment to get into corners and tight spaces.

When you're done vacuuming, remove the vacuum bag or empty the canister immediately. Any vacuum bags should be thrown away. Additionally, the filter and canister should be washed thoroughly.

A vacuum with a bag is preferred over a canister vacuum for this job simply because bed bugs won't be able to crawl out of the bag.

Insecticide (Toxic)

If you're comfortable with using insecticide in your home, spray all areas where bed bugs have likely been. Most sprays available for sale are "contact" killers. That means that they will only kill specimens that they touch directly. As a result, they should only be used in areas where bed bug activity has been confirmed.

Sticky Traps

While bed bug traps aren't necessarily the most effective way to get rid of bed bugs, they can make a dent in your infestation. More importantly, they can help you to target areas of bed bug activity when deciding where to spray. They are also great for checking if your treatments have been effective. Here are some common spots to place bed bug traps:

• Near baseboard trim

• Under nightstands

• Under/next to a mattress

• Against a headboard.

• The legs of the bed frame

Remember that confirmation of bed bugs in a room means that you'll need to treat that entire room.

Insecticide Powder (Toxic)

While bug sprays can kill some bed bugs, they can be "hit or miss." Insecticide powder can pack a bigger punch because it will kill any bugs that wander through it. The best way to use powder is to brush it along the entire perimeter of a room using a makeup brush.

Chemical Bed Bug Treatments (Toxic)

If you don't want to deal with sprays and powders on your own, you can simply hire a pest expert to perform chemical treatments to get rid of bed bugs. Some of the chemicals used by professionals include pyrethrins, pyrethroids, diatomaceous earth (DE), boric acid, neonicotinoids (synthetic nicotine), and insect growth regulators (IGR).

Heat (Nontoxic)

One of the most powerful ways to get rid of bed bugs without using chemicals is a heat treatment. Bed bugs are killed by temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit. A commercial steamer will easily reach this temperature. Many models can be purchased at home improvement stores for between $150 and $300.

Whole-house Heat Treatment (Nontoxic)

If the process of using a steamer on every inch of your home seems arduous, a professional heat treatment is the fastest way to get rid of bed bugs. These professional treatments heat up entire rooms past 120 degrees Fahrenheit for several hours to ensure that every bed bug meets its doom.  

DIY vs. Hire a Pro

The benefit of bringing in a professional exterminator to kill bed bugs is that they can give you an idea of the size and scope of your infestation to develop a plan that will work. Additionally, pros can use multiple angles to kill bed bugs at all stages of life. While most store-bought treatments are effective, they typically either kill adult bed bugs or unhatched bed bugs instead of taking care of the entire colony.

Another perk of having your infestation investigated by an exterminator is that you can 100% confirm you actually have bed bugs. It would be a shame to fill your home with DIY bed bug treatments when the real culprit is a completely different critter. Pest pros show up with monitoring devices, high-powered lighting tools, and bed bug-sniffing dogs to identify pests. 

When looking for local bug and insect exterminators, confirm that any pro you choose offers a toxic or nontoxic treatment that you feel comfortable using in your home. Professional bed bug treatment costs range from $1,000 to $2,500 on average. However, your location, the severity of the infestation, and the kill method you choose will all factor into price.

If your infestation is confined to a single room, expect to pay either $200 to $400 per room or $4 to $7.50 per square foot. For DIY, you'll spend at least $150 to $250 if you opt for a steamer. However, a chemical-only DIY treatment will probably cap off at $100.

How to Prep for Bed Bug Inspections 

If you’ve hired a professional bed bug exterminator to check your home for bed bugs, there are a few tasks you can complete to prepare for the inspection.

It’s a good idea to wash your bedding and clothing with hot water. This step allows you to focus on larger items throughout the home, knowing that any bed bugs present in bedding and clothing won’t survive the wash. You can also remove clutter and give the space a deep cleaning. Clutter and mess do not increase the chances of bed bugs, but a clean area makes for easier inspections.

Why Do I Have Bed Bugs in My Home?

First of all, let’s dispel some myths. Bed bugs are not the result of a messy home, and they likely did not travel to your home in the clothing of a visitor, though luggage is a possibility. Let’s take a look at the common causes of bed bug infestations. 

They’re in Your New Home 

If you recently moved and immediately experienced symptoms related to bed bugs, it is likely they were already there. Bed bugs can survive for one year or more without feeding, so they hide and wait in unseen spots. 

Used Furniture 

It’s not a myth that bed bugs can hide and travel in secondhand furniture. As the name suggests, bed bugs love beds and anywhere else that humans lay or sit on for long periods of time. Be extra cautious when bringing in used furniture of any kind into the home, including beds, couches, and chairs. 

Luggage 

It is a great idea to learn how to avoid bed bugs while traveling, as these creepy crawlies will move into your luggage and, eventually, your home. Check hotel beds thoroughly and keep your luggage away from the bed. 

Multi-unit Dwellings 

If you live in a multi-unit condo or apartment building, you are at greater risk for bed bugs. Controlling what goes into your home is easy, but you can’t control all of the homes connected to yours. If your neighbor brings them in and doesn’t handle the situation, it is just a matter of time before the bed bugs make their way to your home. 

How Much Does It Cost to Identify and Exterminate Bed Bugs?

If you suspect your home has bed bugs, you can expect to pay $65 to $200 for a professional visual inspection, though many exterminators throw in a free inspection as part of a removal package. If the pro finds definitive proof of an infestation, the bed bug extermination will cost anywhere from $900 to $3,000 for professional removal.

How to Prevent Bed Bugs

Check out these common-sense steps to preventing bed bugs in your home. 

• Avoid used furniture: Avoid used items of furniture, particularly beds. If you purchase a secondhand furniture item, inspect it carefully for blood stains, excrement, egg shells, and skin casings. 

• Use protective mattress covers: Install protective covers around mattresses and box springs, and make sure these covers resist tearing and punctures. This method won’t help with bugs in other locations, but it will trap any in the mattress and box spring.

• Vacuum frequently: Use a high-powered vacuum frequently to pick up any stragglers, including eggs and shed skin. You should also use a steam-based cleaner in any nooks and crannies near the bed. 

• Travel safely: Practice safe travel habits for avoiding bed bugs and encourage any visitors to your home to do the same. 

• Exercise caution at laundry facilities: If you’re using a public laundry facility, transport clothing in plastic bags and swap these bags out for new ones when the items are clean and dry. If possible, fold your clothes at home. 

• Seal up cracks: Take time to seal up cracks and crevices around baseboards, light sockets, flooring, etc. This step is especially important with multi-family homes. 

Lawrence Bonk contributed to this piece.